Detroit City Council debates fate of stray pit bull

Dog found near hardware store may be euthanized

DETROIT - A pit bull named Ace was the center of discussions Tuesday at a meeting of the Detroit City Council.

The dog is named Ace because it was found in a doorway of an Ace Hardware store on McNichols Road.

Store worker John Karpiej found the dog."We gave it some food, water, a little bit of heat and a pet bed," Karpeij said.

Ace is now being held by the city's Animal Control center.A number of animal rescue groups are asking council members to let them have the dog so it can be put up for adoption.

But Denise Gardner of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's office told council members the city has a policy of not putting pit bulls up for adoption.

"The city of Detroit does not consider the pit bulls to be transferred for adoptable pets," Gardner said.While pit bulls are often used for fighting, Dan Carlisle of Detroit Dog Rescue."Pit bulls are just like any other animal," Carlisle said.

He added that pit bulls are not more likely to bite a person than a Golden Retriever."No, absolutely. Everything is a case by case basis," Carlisle said.

The dog, which was malnourished, also had bite marks on its neck.City Council members were asked to draw up a resolution to save Ace's life; but that proposal did make it to the council table.

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